How hospitals provide us with a look into the automated, robotic future

How hospitals provide us with a look into the automated, robotic future

Hospitals are always pushing forward the frontiers of technology. Now, some 800 hospitals have found a new technology, smart robotics. Not the robots that only do one task in factories and that probably made your car, but self-learning and intelligent robots. The same robots leading the robot automation revolution. Hospitals are starting to deploy these smart robots to not only fully automate simple, repetitive tasks, but to also ease the burden of more complicated tasks as well. One big example of this is sanitation. It's an extremely important job. But it's often not done well enough. Hospital-acquired infections are one of the leading causes of death in hospitals. In fact, one in every 25 patients will contract a hospital-acquired infection. Robots are tackling this problem in leading hospitals right now.

Through the use of intense UV lights, robots can disinfect any space quickly and efficiently. Most important, they don't miss a spot. Hospitals are huge logistical challenges, especially when a mix-up can be the difference between life and death. That's why fallible human runners are being replaced with robots. Robots, in more and more hospitals, haul lab results, drugs, and basic supplies around the hospital. Through smart technology, they can use elevators and automatically deliver items to where they need to be.

A doctor's job is never easy, but robots can at least help to make it easier. Robots can be an interface for doctors to interact with their patients, from beyond the bedside. Now doctors interact with their patients through robots. No need to run around the hospital.

All this may seem to remove the human touch from hospitals, but this can't be further from the truth. Robots are even adding a greater human aspect to hospital care. Many patients suffer from loneliness in hospitals, visitors can't always be there. In some hospitals in Japan, robots keep these people company and to keep them mentally healthy.

Robots, while they come with a strong initial investment, pay off int he long runs savings they provide. From increased efficiency to reduced workload, to even providing greater care to patients, robots are helping. Nothing makes a patient feel like they're in capable hands than being served by cutting-edge technology. This level of service can convince entire families to switch hospitals.